The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has called for the re-opening of corruption cases involving former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali and ex-chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Ransome Owan.
SERAP said prosecuting the aforementioned cases would afford Nigeria to recover stolen funds meant for the development of the power sector.
The non-governmental organisation spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during a policy dialogue on promoting transparency and accountability in electricity, education, and judiciary in Nigeria
SERAP said: “The cases to revisit include the case of the Ransome Owan-led Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, and the investigation of Mr. Godknows Igali on the alleged diversion of funds of deceased Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN workers.
“The Attorney General of the Federation should take measures to obtain, widely publish and act on the report of the Elumelu (Ndudi) House Probe Committee which had accused 21 persons and 36 companies of subversion of government policy on due process which gave rise to extension of contract beyond its original size, inflation costs, duplication of contract awards, other kinds of corruption and general lack of performance.”
Professor Yemi Akinseye George (SAN) as a guest speaker, called for stiffer penalties for perpetrators of corrupt practices. He tasked Nigerians to show more than a passive interest in the way their country is being governed.
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He said, “The federal government should ensure that anti-corruption strategies in the Nigerian electricity sector focus on prosecution of suspected perpetrators of corruption and transparency and competition in the procurement process through public participation and independent regulatory institutions.”
To sanitize the education sector, Professor George called on government and stakeholders to ensure that outright proclamation of corruption and corrupt practices as outlawed vices in the Nigerian universities is done.
“There should be in place a system of promptly punishing convicted wrongdoers” as well as ensuring “strict compliance with rules and regulations irrespective of personalities involved, he said.
